My Happy Place - Treasure Valley

05/23/2026

First look at our latest reveal for Casie Stevenson!

Casie, we hope that this space continues to provide a warm and peaceful happy place for you!

Stay tuned for room reveal photos. Though the room has been built, the fundraising is not done, donate today!

Donate Here:
https://myhappyplaces.org/donations/donate-today-casie-stevenson/

05/09/2026

It is with exciting news that we welcome our most recent recipient, Cassie Stevenson!

To donate to Cassie's 'Happy Place': https://myhappyplaces.org/donations/donate-today-casie-stevenson/

My name is Casie Stevenson and I’ve been married to my high school best friend for 33 years. I’m a mom to 3 of the greatest kids and my 3 bonus kids (their spouses). My favorite name is “Nana” and I have 5 of the funnest cutest Grandchildren ever. I have been a business owner for 20 years and grew up in Caldwell from the age of 5. I have a small country farm with 2 Highland Cows, chickens, 2 cats and 2 dog. I love the outdoors, sports, crafting, sewing, playing games and family time.

In 2022, I was having both pain and a hard lump in my upper abdomen. Dr. after Dr. I was told it was indigestion, gas, scar tissue (I had never had surgery in that area), bowel constipation, etc.

In May of 2023 at a massage, my massage therapist suggested I go to her Dr. to have her look at it. I went without hesitation and the Dr. ordered lab work and Ultrasound and with findings of 3 masses on my pancreas and 2 masses on my liver, she ordered a CT Scan which did confirm I had Cancer. After 1 month of waiting and 5 pathologist, a biopsy was done and confirmed that I have Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. EPITHELIAL NEOPLASM, COMPATIBLE ACINAR CELL CARCINOMA to be exact. A very rare type of Pancreatic Cancer that only 1-2% of Pancreatic Cancer Patients have. Giving me 6-9 months to live. It was deemed inoperable and incurable.

Those words paralyze you! Your whole world stops, your thoughts turn to the worst possible outcome and the fear and anxiety take over because you just don’t know what that really means or how bad it really is. You just know that Cancer is an ugly disease and could take your life!

Once a plan was made to treat the cancer with the best options available, I was bound and determined that I would do everything in my power to beat this, to fight for more life, to make more memories for me and my family. I wasn’t ready to be done with life. So, I fought! I have been fighting for 3 years and will continue to fight as long as I can. It’s been important to me to fight with family, friends, faith, prayer and positivity and I just had my 35th treatment.

Finding and looking for the best things throughout each day have made a difference in my attitude, my feelings and my energy. Giving me more to fight with. Cancer isn’t fun and treatment has some of the worst side effects. Yes, I have bad days but more better days because I’m looking for them and that’s all I can hope for!

One of the biggest impacts through this journey has been the support, the kindness, the generosity and the love from others. From people I know and from people I don’t know. To know that people care and want to help in ways they can is empowering. There’s power in giving and also accepting (which is hard for me because I have always been a giver) but one without the other doesn’t work. Seeing this full circle through my journey has been a blessing and I’m so grateful for those who are out there making a difference and making an impact to help others when life is hard and knocks you down.

Cassie's Story: https://myhappyplaces.org/meet-casie-stevenson/

**Remember, any donations to this 501(c) organization are tax deductible.

12/09/2025

Welcome to your new ‘Happy Place’ Michelle!

It’s not too late to donate to the creation of Michelle’s room, donate here: https://myhappyplaces.org/donations/donation-form-michelle-weitz/

12/02/2025

Today is the Day! Michelle’s new ‘Happy Place’ awaits!

Thank you to our community members who worked so diligently to make this space truly special. We can’t wait for Michelle to see.

Stay tuned for the reveal this afternoon!

It’s not too late to join Michelle’s Happy Place Support team, consider donating to here: https://myhappyplaces.org/donations/donation-form-michelle-weitz/

11/22/2025

Please welcome our newest recipient: Michelle Weitz! Join in supporting Michelle by sharing her story, and donating to transform her new 'Happy Place'. A piece of Michelle's story she wrote to share:

"In the summer of 2023, everything shifted when I was diagnosed with stage 4 bile duct cancer. One moment I was competing in my first open water triathlon; the next, I was navigating scans, appointments, and a world of uncertainty....The news was overwhelming, but it also awakened a deeper well of strength and determination within me.

Cancer has changed my pace, but not my spirit. I continue to plan challenging bike trips with friends, and I continue to find delight in putting one foot in front of the other on a trail. In fact, in the summer of 2025, I completed 19 days on the John Muir Trail, backpacking over 190 miles.

By sharing my story, I hope others feel supported and reminded that hope and connection can carry us through the unexpected."

A Reminder, all donations are 501(c) tax deductible, and directly go to the recipient.

Michelle's FULL STORY: https://myhappyplaces.org/uncategorized/meet-michelle-weitz/

Michelle's DONATION LINK: https://myhappyplaces.org/donations/donation-form-michelle-weitz/

11/02/2025

10/20/2025

Welcome to your new Happy Place Shawnda!
We here at MHP -Treasure Valley with our partners are overjoyed to have been a part of Shawnda Bennett’s journey of healing!

Shawnda’s reaction is one piece to why we keep going. It’s not too late for you to join Shawnda’s Happy Place project, donate here: https://myhappyplaces.org/donations/donation-form-shawnda/

Read Shawnda’s full story here: https://myhappyplaces.org/treasure-valley-id/

As a nonprofit 501-c we are privileged to remind our donors that all donations are tax-deductible.

10/03/2025

Welcome to our newest recipient: Shawnda Bennett! Join us in creating Shawnda's new 'Happy Place', creation is underway NOW!

Donate Here: https://myhappyplaces.org/donations/donation-form-shawnda/

Join Shawnda's team by reading part of her story below:

"I have made 50 trips around the Sun so far.
I was born in Cascade Idaho and escape back to my beloved mountains every chance I get!
I have the incredible honor of being mom to 2 amazing daughters ages 30 and 16, who are both living miracles! My youngest daughter was born with special needs which were, until recently, quite medically intensive. I also am honored to be able to be my mom's full time care provider.
My calling is caring for people with special needs , so naturally I chose to work for those with special needs in their homes as well.
As you can imagine, when I was diagnosed with stage 2 Lymphatic cancer in February of 2025, I found it quite challenging to be on the other side of the caring journey!
This cancer/chemo battle was one of the hardest I've ever fought! I fought through 6 months of chemo, and each month brought a new health complication, some permanent, as a result of chemo therapy. This battle almost devastated my usually tenacious drive and energy reserves. Today, I am blessed with the miracle of remission, cancer free baby!!!
Another miracle manifested when by a chance meeting in a store I met Deb!
Kismet, as Deb calls it, introduced me to the incredibly amazing women of My Happy Place!
There are not enough words to describe how grateful I am for these women and all the generous people who make up the Angels in action of My Happy Place!!
Though I have a long journey of recovery ahead, my new room will truly be a sanctuary of love and healing and I am beyond blessed for such an incredible gift!"

Donate to Shawnda's Happy Place Here: https://myhappyplaces.org/donations/donation-form-shawnda/
100% of donations go directly to Shawnda's project, and are tax deductible.

08/05/2025

Join us! The new room renovation for a beloved local, Aleisha McConkie, is well under way. Aliesha has touched so many lives in and around our Treasure Valley, now it's our turn to give back to her. We are ONE WEEK out! It is not too late to join the team and efforts by donating to her new 'Happy Place'.

Donation Link: https://myhappyplaces.org/donations/donation-form-aleisha-mcconkie/

07/20/2025

Welcome our newest recipient Aleisha McConkie! Join us in supporting Aleisha through her recent diagnosis. The donation link to support the creation of a new, relaxing, Happy Place is coming soon. In the meantime, read Aleisha’s story below and post your supportive thoughts in the comments!

“Hello, my name is Aleisha McConkie. I’m 42 years old, married, and a proud parent of four wonderful children, ages 20, 17, 15, and 12. Our family lives on a small hobby farm that includes a lively bunch of miniature donkeys, goats, sheep, chickens, dogs, and cats. Life is always busy—but full of joy.

In May 2025, I was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma. While this has been a deeply challenging journey, it has also reminded me how precious each day is and how much I have to be grateful for. I work for the Middleton School District, a community I care deeply about and feel honored to be a part of. I also love to read, and books have become both a comfort and an escape during this season of life.

I feel incredibly blessed—for my family, for our little farm, for the support around me, and for the opportunity to share and connect through this experience.”